How Much You Need to Earn to Be Happy in Your State

By Emily Co, POPSUGAR Smart Living

August 14, 2014

52 shares

Happiness is always relative, but the last we heard, $75,000 was the optimal salary people need to make to be satisfied with their lot in life — no more, no less. Of course, you may argue that this "rule" can't apply to everyone. After all, there's a different cost of living depending on where you live.

Here's how much you need to be happy in the state you live in, according to data from Council for Community & Economic Research.

Mississippi: $65,850

Tennessee: $67,275

Kentucky: $67,500

Oklahoma: $67,800

Indiana: $68,025

Kansas: $68,475

Nebraska: $68,775

Alabama: $69,300

Iowa: $69,375

Arkansas: $69,375

Georgia: $69,575

Texas: $69,600

Utah: $69,750

Wyoming: $69,900

New Mexico: $70,050

Missouri: $70,275

Michigan: $70,425

Ohio: $70,575

Idaho: $70,650

Louisiana: $71,475

Illinois: $71, 625

South Carolina: $72, 075

Virgina: $72,750

North Carolina: $73,350

South Dakota: $73,725

West Virginia: $73,950

Montana: $73, 950

Wisconsin: $74,100

Florida: $74,775

Benchmark: $75,000

Nevada: $75,150

North Dakota: $75,300

Colorado: $75,300

Pennslyvania: $76,200

Minnesota: $76,350

Arizona: $76,350

Washington: $76,950

Delaware: $79, 275

Maine: $82,275

New Hampshire: $87,075

Vermont: $87,900

Maryland: $88,275

Rhode Island: $90,675

Massachusetts: $90,975

Oregon: $91,275

Connecticut: $93,900

California: $95,325

New Jersey: $95,700

Alaska: $98,850

New York: $99,150

District of Columbia: $104,700

Hawaii: $122,175

This story was provided by our content partner, POPSUGAR, a website that delivers up-to-the-minute news and information on the latest in entertainment, fashion, beauty, fitness, shopping, and more.